US votes with Russia to oppose Europe-backed Ukraine resolution

Washington's vote against the resolution aligned it with Russia, North Korea, Israel and 14 other nations in opposition

A serviceman mourns at the Memorial Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv on February 24. AP

The US joined Russia on Monday in opposing a Ukrainian and European-backed resolution at the UN General Assembly marking the third anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine. The measure, which reaffirmed the UN General Assembly's “commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, passed with 93 votes in favour, 18 against, and 65 abstentions.

Washington's vote aligned it with Russia, North Korea, Israel and 14 other nations in opposition. It marked a significant departure from its usually stalwart support for Ukraine in international forums.

Mariana Betsa, deputy foreign affairs minister of Ukraine, told member states that how the world responds to Russian aggression will ultimately define “the future of entire democratic world”. “If aggression is justified and a victim is blamed for its resilience and will to survive, then no country is safe,” she said before the vote.

Vote results are displayed during the 11th Emergency Special Session. Reuters

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the General Assembly has approved half a dozen resolutions condemning Moscow's actions and calling for an immediate withdrawal of its forces. The adopted text said Russia must “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders".

Challenging Kyiv and its European allies, Washington introduced an alternative resolution that “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia". It says “the principal purpose of the United Nations, as expressed in the United Nations Charter, is to maintain international peace and security and to peacefully settle disputes".

Dorothy Shea, the US interim chargé d’affaires, emphasised to member states that the US text “is not the peace deal, it is the path to peace.”

Russian ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called the US text “a step in the right direction” and noted that US President Donald Trump “finally saw the real face of the expired Ukrainian President”.

GCC members, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, abstained from voting on both resolutions. Speaking on behalf of the GCC group, Kuwait’s UN representative Tareq Al Banai advocated for a ceasefire and prioritised diplomatic negotiations to “arrive at a global solution that will make it possible to maintain international peace and security”.

Syria also abstained from both resolutions. Syria's UN envoy, Qusay Al Dahhak, told the assembly that his country is committed to a balanced foreign policy under its new leadership.

He emphasised commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, aiming to foster friendly relations with all UN members through mutual respect “in a manner that would bolster efforts to achieve peace and stability throughout the world, away from the policies of axes and political polarisation”.

Monday afternoon, Washington secured passage of its text in the Security Council where the Trump administration again sought approval. The measure seen as a softening of Washington's previous stance on the conflict aligns with President Donald Trump’s efforts to arrange a peace agreement.

The US “resolution puts us to the path to peace,” Ms Shea remarked after the Security Council vote. “Now we must use it to build a peaceful future for Ukraine, Russia and the international community.”

The legally binding measure was three short paragraphs. It did not mention the Kremlin's aggression or condemn the invasion, and it secured the approval of 10 members, including Russia. But France, Greece, Slovenia, Denmark and Britain abstained from the vote.

France’s UN envoy, Nicolas de Riviere, said that the US proposal did not align sufficiently with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. He stressed the necessity of distinguishing between the aggressor, Russia, and the victim, Ukraine, in the conflict.

“There will be no peace and security anywhere if aggressions are rewarded and if the law of the jungle wins,” warned Mr de Riviere.

Several amendments proposed by Russia and European nations failed to pass. Britain's permanent representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, stressed that "no peace will be sustainable without Ukraine's consent".

"As my Prime Minister has made clear, the UK remains ready to play its part. We will continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to protect and defend itself and its people," Ms Woodward said.